Dynasty diva plays Feinstein's

Television

by David-Elijah Nahmod

Feinstein's at the Nikko will glitter when Dynasty
star Joan Collins takes to the stage to talk about
her fabulous life. The legendary actress, now in the third act of her dazzling
career, shows no signs of slowing down. More than three decades after Alexis
Carrington took Denver by storm, Collins retains her vigor and her beauty.

"I've wanted to do this in San Francisco for a long
time," she said, speaking to the B.A.R. by phone. "I did it at Feinstein's in New York, and I know that I
have quite a fan base in SF."

We wondered what Collins would be doing in a club that often
features singers. "I'll be telling the story of my life in a hopefully
humorous way," she said. "There will be a montage of my films and TV
shows, and clips from Dynasty. Then a
Q&A."

Though she enjoyed a successful run in Hollywood films, Dynasty
's Alexis has become Collins' signature role.
"It's a great show, great entertainment," she recalls fondly.
"It was definitely a product of its time. The hairstyles and the jewels
were pure camp. And the bitch fights! College kids loved it!"

In 1982, Collins won a Golden Globe as Best Actress in a TV
series for her work on Dynasty. "I
was thrilled!" she said. "I didn't want to make a long, dreary
speech, so I thanked Sophia Loren for turning the role down!"

In the early 1970s, Collins' star had fallen somewhat. Until
Dynasty catapulted her back to the top,
she began appearing in low-budget horror films like Tales that
Witness Madness (1974), The Devil
Within Her (1975) and the hugely successful
Tales from the Crypt (1972). She
said she has no regrets about accepting such roles. "I was a working
mother, a jobbing actress," she said. "I had three kids to support.
That was the work I had."

Her career started at age nine, playing a boy in an Ibsen
play. Over the decades she's done film, theater, television, published novels,
and wrote beauty books. Her youthful appearance and flawless skin continue to
amaze people. She stays out of the sun, she says. And she's a strong believer
in make-up.

"You have to blot down your foundation as much as
possible so it's not too thick," she advises. "It takes me a half-hour
for a full face with lashes. I shove it on, that's why it's called slap."
She always looks immaculate, and is so good at applying her face that she
reportedly did her own make-up for Dynasty.

It should all make for quite a fascinating night when
Collins takes to the Feinstein's stage to talk about what she did and how she
did it. She's truly one of a kind.